T-spline thicken

[15vekariad]

Hello - I'm new to T-Splines and trying to get a better understanding of it. I know this model has could've been made a better way but I'm still getting used to the software. I want to make the T-spline into a body by either thickening or making it into a solid body, but when I use the thicken tool inwards, the body self-intersects. but how can I solve the problem without having to recreate the whole part over again? It seems that if I try tweaking or thickening outwards it just makes it worse or distorts my original shape too much. 

[TrippyLighting]

Rome wasn't built in one day. For a first attempt this is a very nice model! 

A couple triangles here and there that can be avoided, but the overall shape is flowing nicely.

As a beginner I would also attempt to not use any N-Gons (polygons with more than 4 edges/vertices).

I personally would stay away from creasing and create my sharper edges with support loops.

I like referring people to Arrimus 3D's YouTube channel. He uses mostly 3DS Max and Blender, but the modeling concepts are the same. He explains concepts very well!

[jeff_strater · Accepted solution]

I always find that it helps to do a couple of things:

1. Try the conversion.  It shows you where the problem areas are.  In this case, it is the area around the intake that is one of the problems:
   
2. use Box Mode.  A lot.  Turning on box mode here shows why these surfaces are such a problem.  If those faces are so self-intersecting in box mode, they will produce problematic surfaces in smooth mode:
   
3. Try to shell the model in solid mode.  This will often have less chance of success, but can also help point out the problem areas.  In this case, it again highlights the intake area:
   
   You can get more detailed information if you choose to preserve some of the T-Spline faces at conversion time, but I don't think that is necessary here.
4. Use the curvature analysis.  This will point out areas of high curvature that will cause problems for shell or T-Spline offset.  Here is the curvature analysis in the solid.  The angry-looking purple areas are high curvature.  Again, points to the intake as at least one of the problem areas:
   

What I would do if I were you is to focus on that area first.  Use Box Mode.  See if you can untangle those faces.  To get more curvature in an area, without the self-intersections, you may need to use Subdivide or Insert Edge to add more topology in an area.  It is tedious, but it is also a good learning opportunity.

[15vekariad]

Thank you very much for your timely support, both your posts are extremely helpful.